Introduction to Buddhism

“We’re cultivating our intelligence as opposed to expanding or upgrading its contents. It’s like brightening a room by putting a higher-watt light bulb in a lamp. Suddenly we can see everything in the room much more clearly.

    — Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Curious about Buddhism or a path of mindfulness?

Introduction to Buddhism is a 16-week cycle of teachings on introductory and foundational Buddhist topics, exploring the basic principles of Buddhism and laying the foundation for deeper studies, including being introduced to the views of different Buddhist schools.

All are welcome!

The courses are free; donations are accepted.

Students may also attend these classes on a drop in basis. No registration is required.

The accompanying source books by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche are available for purchase at the Nalanda Store.  It is recommended that the class readings be done prior to each class. The bookstore is generally open from 6:15-7 p.m. Wednesdays , noon to 1 p.m. Sundays and on some weekday evenings. Please check the online calendar.

Buddhism 100: The Life of the Buddha and the Spiritual Journey

• Sept. 4:  The Buddha was not a Buddhist
• Sept. 11:  Poverty Mentality and True Freedom
• Sept. 18:  The World of Suffering and the Human Condition
• Sept. 25:  Taming the Monkey Mind

Buddhism 102: Traveling from Confusion to Original Sanity

• Oct. 2:  The Path is the Goal
• Oct. 9:  The Play of Confusion and Sanity (aka The Four Truths)
• Oct. 16:  Trips of Confusion: Working with Emotions I
• Oct. 23:  Trips of Confusion: Working with Emotions II

Buddhism 103: Karma, Rebirth, and Selflessness

• Oct. 30:  The Four Seals of the Buddha’s Teaching I –Impermanence, Suffering
• Nov. 6:  The Four Seals of the Buddha’s Teaching II – No self, Freedom
• Nov. 13:  The Four Reminders
• Nov. 20:  The Spiritual Friend: Connecting with Buddha’s Heart

Buddhism 104: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness

• Nov. 27:  no class session
• Dec. 4:  The Practice of Fourfold Mindfulness and the Mindfulness of Body
• Dec. 11:  The Mindfulness of Feelings
• Dec. 18:  The Mindfulness of Mind, The Mindfulness of Phenomena